Georgia Voter Roll Purge Records Request Challenge
Black Voters Matter Fund v. Raffensperger
A pro-voting lawsuit seeking access to records pertaining to Georgia’s 2025 mass voter roll purge.
Background
Black Voters Matter Fund and two union groups filed a lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) challenging the state’s refusal to fully comply with the National Voter Registration Act’s (NVRA) public inspection provision after conducting a mass voter roll purge in 2025. In July, Raffensperger announced an “audit” of Georgia’s voter rolls and sent cancellation notices to approximately 480,000 voters identified as “inactive.” The purge relied on categories including voters flagged through National Change of Address data, returned undeliverable mail, lack of voter contact for five years, and identification as having moved out of state. Concerned about potential improper removals, plaintiffs submitted a September records request under the NVRA seeking documents related to the implementation of the purge program and the methodology used to identify voters to place on the purge list. According to the lawsuit, Raffensperger’s office responded by providing a limited spreadsheet listing only a few categories of information for voters on the list. Plaintiffs argue this response failed to adequately provide most of the requested records and are seeking a court order requiring full production of the requested records.
Why It Matters
Georgia’s voter roll purge cancelled nearly 471,000 registrations — about six percent of all registered voters in the state. Large-scale purges have repeatedly been shown to risk removing eligible voters, particularly young voters, voters of color, and people who move frequently. Georgia has a long record of problematic purges. In 2019, Georgia removed more than 300,000 voters, many of whom were later found to be eligible. In 2020, an investigation by the ACLU revealed the state had likely removed nearly 200,000 voters based on flawed address data.
Latest Updates
- Feb. 27, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their complaint.